Dilution tunnel

ABSTRACT

A dilution tunnel having a flow chamber structure with an inlet, an outlet, and an internal flow passage for a sample gas, the sample gas being adapted to flow in a flow direction between the inlet and the outlet. The flow chamber structure having a plurality of pores that communicate between an outside region external of the flow chamber structure and the internal flow passage. The pores are adapted to introduce a diluting gas from the outside region into the internal flow passage. The flow chamber structure is adapted to provide a diluting rate of the dilution tunnel that varies in the flow direction of the dilution tunnel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a dilution tunnel for sampling gases, such asexhaust gases from engines or other effluent sources, and moreparticularly for sampling these gases to analyze particles containedtherein.

BACKGROUND

With an increasing emphasis placed on protecting the environment,industries and governments are committing greater resources tomonitoring and regulating existing stationary and non-stationaryeffluent sources as well as to developing new environmentally friendlystationary and non-stationary effluent sources.

For instance, exhaust gases or emissions from motorized vehicles areregulated by the U.S. Federal Government so as not to exceed certainmaximum contaminant levels. Because of these regulations, increasinglymore sophisticated testing equipment has been developed to test andanalyze engines for conformance with such standards. As an example,regulations set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)involve particulate limit standards for various types of engines such asdiesel truck engines. The regulated particles are matter in the exhaustgas stream, other than condensed water, that can be collected afterdilution. These particulates can include agglomerated carbon particles,absorbed hydrocarbons, and sulfates.

In order to comply with such regulations, industries involved in themanufacturing or use of effluent sources and government agenciesresponsible for enforcing such regulations have relied on systems thatattempt to simulate the diluting process of the exhaust gases. Knownmethods include adding diluting air to the exhaust gas through acontrolled sampling system that has a dilution tunnel. A significantchallenge with these methods is the elimination of errors inmeasurements taken of the diluted exhaust gas and the diluting airstreams and the need to precisely control their respective flow rates.

When the size of the effluent source, and more particularly, the massflow of exhaust gas from the effluent source, permits, full samplingdilution systems may be used in which the total exhaust gas flow fromthe effluent source is mixed with a quantity of diluting air. However,when the size of the effluent source is so large that testing with afull sampling dilution system would not be practical due to the largesize required for the corresponding dilution tunnel, proportionalsampling dilution systems may be used in which only a portion of theexhaust gas flow is sampled, requiring a smaller dilution tunnel.

Investigations into the performance of dilution systems used todaycontinue to indicate excessive variability between governmentalagencies, testing laboratories, and effluent source manufacturers. Thisvariability can have negative consequences. On the one hand, thediscrepancies between the testing laboratories may translate intocompetitive advantages for the low-result testing laboratories. On theother hand, the observed test-to-test variability translates intoincreased test expenditure because a large number of tests are requiredto obtain statistically significant results. Although there are severalparticle mechanisms that influence test-to-test variability, those mostsignificant are particle deposition on the dilution tunnel and tailpipewalls by thermophoresis, by mechanical processes such as diffusion,gravitational sedimentation and turbulence, and by reentrainment ofdeposited particles and hydrocarbon gas phase exchange of the solubleportion of the exhaust particles with the deposited wall boundparticles. Therefore, elimination of the deposition mechanism is highlydesirable.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,440 discloses a dilution tunnel aimed at reducingthe variability of test results in part through the elimination ofthermophoretic deposition of particles on the walls of the samplingdevice and corresponding hydrocarbon gaseous phase component exchangewith these wall-bound particles; down-sizing the dilution tunnel toproduce a fully portable sampling system that can yield resultsequivalent to those of large testing laboratories; and a sampling systemthat can monitor variable engine operating parameters, automaticallycontrol the rate of exhaust gas withdrawal and vary the air dilutionrate within preselected guidelines within a normal range of operatingtemperatures and pressures.

In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,440 discloses a gas sampling systemthat uses a dilution tunnel, including a sampling probe disposed in anexhaust gas stream of an engine, a source of clean diluting air, and afilter assembly. The dilution tunnel includes an air distribution tubeor diffuser tube having a plurality of distribution holes therethrough,a porous center tube having a plurality of micron-sized pores anddefining a first chamber within the air distribution tube, and a housingforming a second chamber about the air distribution tube. The secondchamber is connected to a diluting air source, and the center tube isconnected between a sampling probe in the exhaust gas flow and a filterassembly.

The known gas sampling systems, however, lack the ability to change therate of dilution of a sample flow of gas, so that these systems do notallow accurate simulations to be made of a variety of dilutingprocesses. To appreciate the extent of this shortcoming, it is importantto understand that accurate attainment of particle analysis, such asrepresentative particle size measurement results, depends strongly onsimulations of atmospheric diluting processes as qualified for a givenapplication.

For example, exhaust gas from the exhaust pipe of a large diesel truckhauling a trailer may experience the following particular dilutingprocess characterized by a series of different diluting rates at variousdistances from the exhaust pipe: (1) a fast diluting rate near theexhaust pipe where the gas is initially introduced into the atmosphere,(2) a slow diluting rate over the trailer portion where the air flow isrelatively stable or laminar, and (3) an intermediate diluting ratebehind the trailer where the air flow is turbulent. On the other hand,in a stationary effluent source, such as a power plant, the exhaust gasmay experience a different diluting process determined primarily as afunction of time out of the exhaust pipe or stack and distance from theexhaust stack.

Therefore, there is a need for introducing additional degrees of freedominto gas sampling systems that use dilution tunnels, so that the samplegas can be diluted in a controlled manner that better simulates theactual diluting process for a given application.

The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of theproblems as set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, desirable to provide a dilution tunnel that addsadditional degrees of freedom to permit more accurate dilutingsimulations to be carried out in a cost-effective manner.

In one aspect of the invention, a dilution tunnel is provided having aflow chamber structure with an inlet, an outlet, and an internal flowpassage for a sample gas, the sample gas being adapted to flow in a flowdirection between the inlet and the outlet. The flow chamber structurehaving a plurality of pores that communicate between an outside regionexternal of the flow chamber structure and the internal flow passage.The pores are adapted to introduce a diluting gas from the outsideregion into the internal flow passage. The flow chamber structure isadapted to provide a diluting rate of the dilution tunnel that varies inthe flow direction of the dilution tunnel.

According to another aspect of the invention, a dilution tunnel isprovided having a porous tube with an inlet and an outlet and a flowaxis passing through the porous tube, the inlet, and the outlet; whereinthe porous tube defines an internal flow passage for a sample gasbetween the inlet and the outlet, and the flow axis defines an axialflow direction of the sample gas through the internal flow passage. Theporous tube has a plurality of pores that communicate between an outsideregion external of the porous tube and the internal flow passage, withthe pores being adapted to introduce a diluting gas into the internalflow passage; and wherein a geometry of the dilution tunnel varies inthe axial flow direction.

According to another aspect of the invention, the porosity of the poroustube varies in at least one of the axial flow direction and a radialdirection that extends radially outward from the flow axis.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a gas samplingsystem for analyzing a first gas is provided having a dilution tunneland a second gas source. The dilution tunnel includes a porous tubehaving an inlet and an outlet and a flow axis passing through the poroustube, the inlet, and the outlet. The porous tube defines an internalflow passage for the first gas between the inlet and the outlet, and theflow axis defines an axial flow direction of the first gas through theporous tube. The porous tube has a plurality of pores that communicatean outside region external of the porous tube and the internal flowpassage, with the pores being adapted to introduce the second gas intothe internal flow passage. A geometry of the dilution tunnel varies inthe axial flow direction.

According to still another aspect of the invention, a porosity of theporous tube in the gas sampling system varies in at least one of theaxial flow direction and a radial direction that extends radiallyoutward from the flow axis.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of dilutinga first gas with a second gas is performed, including the steps ofpassing a first gas through a first region in a flow direction along aflow axis of the first region; passing a second gas through a secondregion, the first and second regions being separated by a porousstructure; and introducing the second gas into the first region at avariable rate, determined by the porous structure, that changes in theflow direction of the first gas.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, thedilution tunnel is manufactured by providing a plurality of poroustubes, each porous tube having a different diluting rate defined by atleast one of the porous tube's geometry and porosity; cutting respectivesections from each porous tube; and serially coupling the respectivesections to each other to form an single porous tube that defines aninternal flow passage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this inventionare described below with reference to the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic and partial cross-sectional view of a gas samplingsystem having a dilution tunnel in accordance with a first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is schematic and partial cross-sectional view of a dilutiontunnel in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is schematic and partial cross-sectional view of a dilutiontunnel in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is schematic and partial cross-sectional view of a dilutiontunnel in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 cross-sectional view of a porous tube in accordance with thesecond embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6. is schematic view of a method of manufacturing a dilution tunnelin accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7. is schematic view of dilution tunnels in accordance with afourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the invention is open to various modifications and alternativeforms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of examples in thedrawings and are described herein in detail. There is no intent to limitthe invention to the particular forms disclosed.

The invention relates to a dilution tunnel for use in a gas samplingsystem to analyze particles in a sample gas, for example, taken from anengine exhaust. The dilution tunnel is configured to dilute the samplegas by introducing a diluting gas, such as clean air, into the samplegas. To carry out this diluting process, the dilution tunnel includes aporous tube that allows the sample gas and diluting gas to mix in acontrolled manner. The diluted sample gas can then be analyzed todetermine such characteristics as the amount and nature of the particlesin the gas. The diluting process can be used in numerous applications,including, without limitation, the simulation of exhaust gases in theatmosphere from stationary or non-stationary sources. As discussed ingreater detail below, additional degrees of freedom can be introducedinto the diluting process by using dilution tunnels having varyinggeometry and/or porosity that provide varying rates of sample gasdilution along the flow path of the sample gas. These additional degreesof freedom permit more accurate diluting simulations to be carried outin a cost-effective manner.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a gas sampling system 100 constructed inaccordance with the present invention includes a dilution tunnel 110having a flow chamber structure that defines an internal flow passagefor an exhaust gas to pass in a flow direction between an inlet and anoutlet of the flow chamber. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the flow chamberstructure can be an elongated porous structure or tube 111 extendingbetween an inlet 111 a and an outlet 111 b of the porous tube and havinga flow axis X passing through the porous tube, the inlet and the outlet.The porous tube 111 has a wall (or plurality of walls) 112 that definesan internal flow passage 113 for the flow of a sample gas between theinlet 111 a and the outlet 111 b. The flow axis X defines an axial flowdirection of the sample gas through the internal flow passage 113. Pores114 (for example, but not limited to, 0.5 micron in diameter) are formedin the wall 112 and communicate an outside region 116 external of theporous tube 111 with the internal flow passage 113 to introduce a gasinto the internal flow passage. The porous tube 111 may be made fromsintered stainless steel having a plurality of pores 114 that providethe desired precisely controlled porosity.

The dilution tunnel 110 may include a diffuser tube 115 formed aroundthe porous tube 111, so as to define a first annular chamber (outsideregion) 116 peripherally about the porous tube 111. The diffuser tube115 is preferably an elongated tube of stainless steel or the like thathas a plurality of distribution holes 117 radially therethrough in acentral region 118 of the dilution tunnel 110, and opposite end portions119 and 120 without such holes. The distribution holes 117 are sized andarranged as desired to promote the desired flow distribution around theporous tube 111.

When the dilution tunnel includes the diffuser tube 115, the porous tube111 may extend the length of the diffuser tube 115. In this case, a pairof diffuser tube sealing rings 121 and 122 are secured to the diffusertube 115 and the porous tube 111 at the opposite ends thereof.

The dilution tunnel 110 also includes a housing 130 that forms a secondannular chamber 131 peripherally about the central region 118 of thediffuser tube 115. A pair of housing sealing rings 132 and 133 securelyconnect respective collars 134 a and 134 b of the housing to thediffuser tube 115 intermediate the central region 118 and the endportions 119 and 120. An inlet port 135 is formed radially through thehousing 130 and is in communication with a controlled flow rate sourceof a diluting gas (e.g., clean air 142) and indicated generally by thereference number 136. Preferably, the diluting gas source 136 includes,in serially arranged order, a pressurized diluting air reservoir 137, afilter 138, a scrubber 139 to remove oil and/or hydrocarbons, adesiccant filter or drying unit 140 to remove excess moisture, a firstmass flow controller 141 that is preferably adjustable, and any otherdevices or plumbing necessary to introduce the clean air 142 into thehousing 130 to carry out the diluting process. For example, a diffuserscreen 143 may be located near the inlet 135 to improve the flow ofclean air around the porous tube 111 or diffuser tube 115 and, thus,reduce the residence time for molecules of air in the dilution chamberto a desired level.

When the diffuser tube 115 is not included, the porous tube 111 mayextend the length of the housing 130 and the pair of housing sealingrings 132 and 133 may securely interconnect the respective collars 134 aand 134 b of the housing directly to the porous tube 111.

The porous tube 111 is connected to a sampling probe 150 by anyconventional coupling or plumbing not shown. The sample probe 150 canthen extend into an exhaust pipe 160 of an effluent source. The probe150 has a nose portion 151 defining an inlet passage 152 facing anupstream direction of the exhaust gas flow 161 relative to the arrow A.Thus, a proportionate sample of a particle-laden exhaust gas flow 161,as indicated by the reference numeral 162, is directed to the interiorof the inlet end of the porous tube 111 near the ring 121. When the gassampling system analyzes the proportional sample of the exhaust gas flow161, the system can be characterized as a proportional sampling dilutinggas system. Alternatively, a fall sampling diluting gas system may beused in which the probe 150 is sized to capture the total exhaust gasflow 161 and the system dilutes the captured flow with a quantity ofdiluting gas.

The opposite or outlet end of the porous tube 111, at the ring 122, isconnected to a shut-off valve 170 and filter 180. The filter 180 may bea gravimetric filter to perform particle sampling. Other particleanalyzing devices that perform particle measurement (e.g., such as aparticle size measurement devices or real-time particle measurementdevices as two non-limiting examples, may be used in place of or inconjunction with the gravimetric filter 180. Such particle measurementdevices can include particle scanners (e.g., a scanning mobilityparticle size scanner, SMPS; or an electrostatic low pressure impactor,ELPI).

The outlet of the filter 180 is in serial communication with a secondmass flow controller 187 that is preferably adjustable. A suction pump189 is serially connected to the outlet of the second mass flowcontroller 187.

Sample branches 191–193 may be included in the gas sampling system 100as needed. For example, branch 191 may be provided prior to the inletport 135 to test the quality of a sample ml of the air. Also branches192 and 193 may be provided between the outlet of the diluting tunneland the input of the gravimetric filter to take measurements withrespective particle scanners 194 and 195 on a percentage of the gas flowm₂, m₃.

Additionally, sensors, such as temperature sensors 196 may be placedalong the flow path of the sample of exhaust gas to confirm that thediluting process is being carried out at the appropriate temperature, orto confirm other physical parameters. Such monitoring can provideimportant feedback to ensure that the desired control process is beingexerted on the system.

To the extent required, the first and second mass flow controllers 141and 187 may be sophisticated electrically controlled mass flowcontrollers. The second mass flow controller 187 may be a total flowrate controlling instrument, and the first mass flow controller 141 maybe an electrically controlled, slave mass flow controller for preciselycontrolling the diluting gas flow into the housing 130. In this case,first and second mass flow controllers 141 and 187 may be electricallyconnected to a microprocessor 200. Accordingly, measurements of theparticles in the exhaust gas can be determined by the microprocessor bysubtracting from the sum of the mass flow M₁ of clean air through thefirst mass flow controller 141 and the mass flow M_(E) of theproportionate sample of exhaust gas through the probe 150 (i.e.,M₁+M_(E)) the sum of the mass flow M₂ through the second mass flowcontroller 187 and any mass flow through the branches m₁, m₂, m₃ plusany remaining mass flow out of the system, E (i.e., M₂+m₁+m₂+m₃+E).

According to a first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, theporous tube 111 of the dilution tunnel 110 is in the form of a coneabout the flow axis X so that the diluting rate varies axially along theflow of the sample exhaust gas 162 as a function of the geometry of theporous tube, in this case, the cross-sectional area of the porous tube111 taken in a direction orthogonal to the flow axis X. Thecross-sectional area of the porous tube 111 taken in a directionorthogonal to the axis X includes the sum of the cross-sectional areasof the internal flow passage and the wall thickness of the porous tube.

As the conical porous tube 111 expands, the external area of the poroustube (or porous tube surface area) increases, as does thecross-sectional area of the internal passage 113, thereby increasing thediluting rate. As also shown in FIG. 1, the diffuser tube 115, ifincluded, may have a constant cross-sectional area axially along theflow of the sample exhaust gas 162. Similarly, the housing 130 may havea constant cross-sectional area axially along the flow of the sampleexhaust gas 162.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a diffuser tube 301 may be usedthat is also in the form of a cone and concentric with the porous tube111, such that the diffuser tube expands in the axial flow direction.Accordingly, the diffuser tube would have a cross-sectional area thatvaries axially along the flow of the sample exhaust gas 162. Similarly,a housing 130 may be used that is in the form of a cone and concentricwith the porous tube 111, such that the housing expands in the axialflow direction. Accordingly, the housing would also have across-sectional area that varies axially along the flow of the sampleexhaust gas 162. Accordingly, a constant ratio of diluting air volume toporous tube surface area can be maintained axially along the flow of thesample exhaust gas 162.

As shown in FIG. 3, a porous tube 302 in the form of two cones may beused, a first cone 302 a expanding in the direction of flow of thesample exhaust gas 162 until it meets a second cone 302 b contracting inthe direction of flow of the sample exhaust gas 162. Accordingly, thecross-sectional area of the internal flow passage of the porous tubeincreases and then decreases in the axial flow direction. Again, ahousing 303 having a corresponding form may be used in combination withthe porous tube 302. Also, while not shown, a diffusing tube have acorresponding form may be added.

While the foregoing examples represent certain preferred geometricconfigurations for the dilution tunnel, they are not intended to be anexhaustive list of all the possible geometric configurationscontemplated by the invention. Clearly, there remain numerous otherpossible configurations. For example, a porous tube in the form of acone expanding in the direction of exhaust gas flow can be combine witha diffuser tube and housing in the shape of a cone contracting in thedirection of exhaust gas flow. Still, the porous tube, the diffusertube, and the housing may take on any other geometric configurationsthat permit variations in the diluting rate in the direction of exhaustgas flow, or that maintain a constant diluting rate under the given flowconditions. On the other hand, a porous tube with a uniformcross-sectional area in the direction of the exhaust gas flow may beused in combination with a housing or diffuser tube in the form of acone or other geometric configuration.

However, a common feature in this first embodiment of the invention is avariation in the geometry of the dilution tunnel, and preferably avariation in the cross-sectional area of part or all of the dilutiontunnel, including one or more of the porous tube, the diffuser tube, andthe housing, taken in a direction substantially orthogonal to the flowof exhaust gas. This variation in cross-sectional area provides addeddegrees of freedom that advance the capabilities for sampling a gasusing a dilution tunnel.

According to a second embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 4,the cross-sectional area of the porous tube 304 may be constant in theaxially direction along the flow of the sample exhaust gas 162, whilethe porosity, such as the size of the pores 114 or density of the pores114 (i.e., the number of pores per unit area or volume), varies in thatdirection. For example, to carry out the diluting process at a varyingrates, the size of the pores 114 at the beginning of the flow of thesample exhaust gas 162 can be in the order of 0.5 microns and increasein size to the order of 4 to 5 microns at the end of the flow. Thevariation in pore size can be linear or non-linear as required to carryout the desired dilution process.

Additionally, the porosity can vary in the radial direction of theporous tube that extends radially outward from the flow axis. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a porous tube 305 may be formed fromsintered stainless steel that has been compressed by different amountsin the radial direction so that the size of the pores decrease in adirection radially outward from the center of the porous tube 305.Alternatively, this variation in porosity may be achieve by forming aporous tube from different layers of porous material, each layer havingpores of a different size.

Furthermore, while not shown, the density of the pores can vary in theaxial direction along the flow of the sample exhaust gas 162 or in theradial direction of the porous tube.

While the foregoing variations in porosity represent certain preferredconfigurations for the dilution tunnel, they are not intended to be anexhaustive list of all such possible configurations contemplated by theinvention. However, a common feature in this second embodiment is thatthe porosity of the porous tube varies in the axial direction along theflow of the sample exhaust gas 162, in the radial direction of theporous tube 111, or both. This variation in porosity also provides addeddegrees of freedom that advance the capabilities for sampling a gasusing a dilution tunnel.

While the foregoing two embodiments have been described separately, thepresent invention also contemplates combining these embodiments, therebyfurther adding to the degrees of freedom for carry out the dilutingprocess. For example, a porous tube can be used that has the form of acone and has pores that increases in size from the smaller end of theporous tube to the larger end thereof. Such a porous tube coulddramatically increase the diluting rate in the expansion direction ofthe porous tube.

Therefore, variations in the geometry of the dilution tunnel and/orporosity of the porous tube can be made so that the diluting rate of thedilution tunnel varies in an axial direction of the dilution tunnel.

According to a third embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 6, thedilution tunnel can be manufactured using short porous tube sections ofvarious diameters, porosity, or a combination thereof, and welding thesesections together in axial communication to create the desired overallform. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a first porous tube section 310have a first diameter D₁ can be cut from a supply of tube stock 307 to alength L₁. Similarly, second and third porous tube sections 311 and 312having respective second and third diameters D₂ and D₃ can be cut fromdifferent tube stocks 308, 309 to respective lengths L₂ and L₃. Eachporous tube stock 307–309 can have a different diluting rate defined itsgeometry and/or porosity. Subsequently, each of the porous tube sectionscan be serially coupled to form a single porous tube 314 in the shapeof, for example, a cone, that defines a internal flow passage. Thesections can be coupled directly together by welding, or they can becoupled using any other manner and can include intermediary portionsbetween each section.

With this sectioning manufacturing process, therefore, standard poroustube sections with respective uniform cross-sections and uniform poresizes may be used to form a porous tube having a variable cross-section,thereby reducing the manufacturing cost. Also contemplated by theinvention is the manufacture of the diffuser tube and housing using thissectioning manufacturing process.

According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, the gas samplingsystem 100 may be provided with a plurality of dilution tunnels, eachdilution tunnel being an interchangeable cartridge having a differentdiluting rate and configured to be removably disposed in the gassampling system. As shown in FIG. 7, this feature can be achieved byusing porous tube cartridges 315 and 316, for example, which areconfigured to be removably inserted into the housing 317, which, inturn, is configured to receive these cartridges. Alternatively, thecartridges may include the porous tube and the diffuser tube or theporous tube, the diffuser tube and the housing. The advantage of usingcartridges is that different predetermined diluting processes can becarried out by merely replacing the cartridge and instructing themicroprocessor as required.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The dilution tunnel of the invention provides several advantages overthe conventional dilution tunnel having uniform geometry and porosity.In particular, the dilution tunnel of the invention provides addeddegrees of freedom in carrying out the diluting process.

For example, in the case of a non-stationary effluent source, such as amoving truck hauling a trailer, the diluting rates typically change fromfast to slow to intermediate. These diluting rates can be accuratelysimulated in a laboratory or on-site using a gas sampling system havinga dilution tunnel in accordance with the invention with varying geometryand/or porosity that dilutes a sample exhaust gas from the truck atcorresponding varying rates.

Such accurate simulations can then be used in the research anddevelopment of truck engines to ensure that new designs for theseengines meet or exceed standards set by EPA regulations. Alternatively,the simulations can be used to establish whether trucks currently in useare meeting these standards.

In the case of a stationary effluent source, such as a power plant, thediluting rates of the exhaust gas change as a function of time out ofthe stack and distance from the exhaust stack. These diluting rates canbe accurately simulated on-site using a gas sampling system having adilution tunnel in accordance with the invention with varying geometryand/or porosity that dilutes a sample exhaust gas from the stack atsimilar corresponding varying rates.

Therefore, an advantageous effect of the present invention is theprovision of a dilution tunnel that provides added degrees of freedomfor carrying out different diluting processes in an accurate andcost-effective manner.

In view of the foregoing, it is readily apparent that the subjectdilution tunnel provides an improved mechanism for diluting a first gaswith a second gas.

Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention can beobtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appendedclaims.

1. A dilution tunnel, comprising: a porous tube having an inlet andoutlet and a flow axis passing through said porous tube, the inlet, andthe outlet; said porous tube defining an internal flow passage for asample gas between the inlet and the outlet, the flow axis defining anaxial flow direction of the sample gas through the internal flowpassage, said porous tube having a plurality of pores that communicatebetween an outside region external of said porous tube and the internalflow passage; said pores being adapted to introduce a diluting gas fromthe outside region into the internal flow passage; and wherein at leasta portion of the dilution tunnel includes a varying cross-sectional areain a direction orthogonal to the flow axis, the varying cross-sectionalarea forming a variable dilution rate in the axial flow direction. 2.The dilution tunnel according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectionalarea is of the internal flow passage and the cross-sectional areadecreases in the axial flow direction.
 3. The dilution tunnel accordingto claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area increases in the axial flowdirection.
 4. The dilution tunnel according to claim 3, wherein saidporous tube is in the form of a cone.
 5. The dilution tunnel accordingto claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional area also decreases in the axialflow direction.
 6. The dilution tunnel according to claim 3, furtherincluding a housing around said porous tube; and wherein said housingexpands in the axial flow direction.
 7. The dilution tunnel according toclaim 3, further including a diffuser tube around said porous tube; andwherein said diffuser tube expands in the axial flow direction.
 8. A gassampling system for analyzing a first gas, comprising: a dilutiontunnel; and a second gas source; wherein said dilution tunnel includes aporous tube having an inlet aligned with an outlet and a flow axispassing through said porous tube, the inlet, and the outlet; said poroustube defining an internal flow passage for said first gas between theinlet and the outlet, the flow axis defining an axial flow direction ofsaid first gas through said porous tube; said porous tube having aplurality of pores that communicate between an outside region externalof said porous tube and the internal flow passage; said pores beingadapted to introduce said second gas into the internal flow passage; andwherein a geometry of the dilution tunnel being varied along the flowaxis forming a variable dilution rate in the axial flow direction. 9.The gas sampling system according to claim 8, wherein the geometry is across-sectional area of at least part of the dilution tunnel, taken in adirection orthogonal to the flow axis.
 10. The gas sampling systemaccording to claim 9, wherein the cross-sectional area is of theinternal flow passage and the cross-sectional area increases in theaxial flow direction.
 11. The gas sampling system according to claim 9,wherein said second gas is clean air.
 12. A dilution tunnel, comprising:a porous tube having an inlet and outlet and a flow axis passing throughsaid porous tube, the inlet, and the outlet; said porous tube definingan internal flow passage for a sample gas between the inlet and theoutlet, the flow axis defining an axial flow direction of the sample gasthrough the internal flow passage, said porous tube having a pluralityof pores that communicate between an outside region external of saidporous tube and the internal flow passage; said pores being adapted tointroduce a diluting gas from the outside region into the internal flowpassage; and wherein at least a portion of a geometry of the internalflow passage between the inlet and the outlet being varied forming avariable dilution rate in the axial flow direction.
 13. The dilutiontunnel according to claim 12, wherein the geometry is a cross-sectionalarea of the internal passage, taken in a direction orthogonal to theflow axis.
 14. The dilution tunnel according to claim 13, wherein thecross-sectional area increases in the axial flow direction.
 15. Thedilution tunnel according to claim 14, wherein the porous tube is in theform of a cone.
 16. The dilution tunnel according to claim 14, whereinthe cross-sectional area also decreases in the axial flow direction. 17.The dilution tunnel according to claim 12, wherein the flow axis islinear.
 18. The dilution tunnel according to claim 12, wherein thegeometry is a circumference of the internal flow passage.
 19. Thedilution tunnel according to claim 18, wherein the circumferenceincreases in the axial flow direction.
 20. The dilution tunnel accordingto claim 19, wherein the circumference also decreases in the axial flowdirection.